Accident - G-CKYT

It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority introduces mitigations to reduce, as far as reasonably practicable, the risk of a catastrophic failure resulting from contact between the gimbal block and the roll stop bar on all gyroplanes fitted with the Rotorkopf III rotor head and those of similar design.

The CAA has commenced its regulatory review as an additional activity to the BCAR Section T working group that is mentioned later in this update. We are currently liaising with SMEs within the CAA and externally and will draw any conclusions as soon as is reasonably practicable.

Partially Adequate - Open

January 2027

It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority reassess the requirements and acceptable means of compliance in BCAR Section T for issuing approvals to gyroplanes, in light of the failure mode identified from the dynamic loading of the gyroplane rotor head in flight, to ensure manufacturers demonstrate to an acceptable level, through appropriate test and/or analysis, mitigation of the risk of catastrophic structural failure from dynamic loads in flight.

The General Aviation team has formed a BCAR Section T working group of subject matter experts including operators, test pilots, airworthiness experts, the British Rotorcraft Association and gyroplane manufacturers. The working group has met twice since formation, and a third meeting is planned before the end of Q2 2026.

The working group focus remains as per the initial update to the AAIB on matters related to the Safety Recommendations (2024-018 and 2024-020) which includes alignment with other requirement sets that exists all whilst factoring in new technology or performance standards. The working group will continue to meet every 2 to 3 months to reach a satisfactory outcome.

Partially Adequate - Open

January 2027

It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority publishes guidance on the subject of rotor load factor during flight manoeuvres for the theoretical training and testing of pilots undertaking the gyroplane PPL syllabus and the gyroplane instructor and examiner qualifications.

The CAA has begun the process of reviewing Standards Document 44 (Gyroplane Pilot Licencing). We have recently held our first collaborative working group involving instructors and examiners from the gyroplane community and will arrange further meetings in due course with a view to updating the document to include guidance on the subject of rotor load factor in-flight manoeuvres for the PPL theoretical knowledge training syllabus, and the theoretical knowledge training for gyroplane instructor and examiner qualifications.

We have also begun reviewing Handling Sense Leaflet No.4 ‘Gyroplane handling and performance’ and will consider amending this guidance as appropriate in parallel with updates to Standards Document 44.

The CAA aims to complete any changes to this area of guidance by the end of 2026.

Partially Adequate - Open

January 2027

It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority reassess the certification and acceptable means of compliance requirements for issuing Certificates of Airworthiness to gyroplanes intended to be used for commercial operations, to ensure manufacturers demonstrate, through appropriate test and analysis, mitigation of the risk of catastrophic structural failure from dynamic loads to a level comparable with equivalent Certificate of Airworthiness aircraft certified to design regulations such as Certification Specifications 23 and 27.

The General Aviation Team has formed a BCAR Section T working group of subject matter experts including operators, test pilots, airworthiness experts, the British Rotorcraft Association and gyroplane manufacturers. The working group has met twice since formation, and a third meeting is planned before the end of Q2 2026.

The working group focus remains as per the initial update to the AAIB on matters related to the Safety Recommendations (2024-018 and 2024-020), alignment with other requirement sets including CRI E-01 (for certified Gyroplanes and commercial uses). The working group will continue to meet every 2 to 3 months to reach a satisfactory outcome.

Partially Adequate - Open

January 2027